Boys & Girls Club Family Center Hall of Fame
This is what impact looks like over time. The Hall of Fame celebrates alumni and community leaders who have shaped, supported, and strengthened the Boys & Girls Club Family Center community. We honor their legacy that continues to grow.
Ruth E. Carter
The Springfield Family Center Boys & Girls Club was like a second home to Ruth. She participated in many activities, including coloring and drawing. Her love of art led her to pursue a degree in costume design at Hampton University. Ruth went on to intern at the prestigious Santa Fe Opera and the Los Angeles Theatre Center. It was in Los Angeles where she met Spike Lee, who hired her as costume designer for his film “School Daze.” She has since worked on some 40 films, most recently as costume designer for “Selma.” Ruth has been nominated for two Academy Awards, making her the first African-American to be nominated for best costume design.
Michael D. Smith
Michael Smith’s mother was determined to give her son every chance to succeed. When he was 7, she enrolled him at a Boys & Girls Club in Springfield, Mass. He continued attending the Club until he left for college. Michael thrived at the Club, as Keystone Club president he gained skills in public speaking and community service. In 1995, Michael was named BGCA’s Northeast Region Youth of the Year. Since graduating from Marymount University, Michael has devoted his career to nonprofit work. Currently, he is director of the Social Innovation Fund, a White House initiative that mobilizes federal and private investment for community-driven projects that can change lives.